LONDON, March 18 (UPI) -- French energy giant Total described the launch of the Laggan and Tormore gas fields in the North Sea near Shetland as a groundbreaking subsea project.
Total said the projects were "key" to unlocking the hydrocarbon potential in the Greater West Shetland region.
Yves-Louis Darricarrere, president of exploration and production at Total, said his company had the technical expertise needed to exploit what he described as "one of the most complex environments" associated with the regional continental shelf.
"Total confirms its commitment in pursuing its investments in the North Sea and its long-term objective toward helping to secure energy supplies for the United Kingdom," with this development, he added.
The two gas fields are located about 85 miles west of Shetland in 1,900 feet of water. Estimated combined reserves are around 230 million barrels of oil equivalent. Gas production from the field could peak at 500 million cubic feet per day.
Total will transit gas from the Laggan and Tormore fields through a 140-mile export pipeline and to gas terminals north of Aberdeen.
The project is subject to approval from the British Department of Energy and Climate Change. First gas production is scheduled for 2014.
